Floating hotel

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a floating hotel (an on-water building), and especially a large, multi-functional, submergible star-rated hotel (or an on-water business mansion) that is capable of floating on water. It includes one or more cylindrical floating boxes connected to each other, multiple channels, a scenery tower, and an anchor moored positioning device, the anchor moored positioning device is disposed at the bottom of the floating box, the channel is disposed on one side of the floating box, the scenery tower is disposed on a deck at the top of the floating box, and the floating box has multiple storeys and hotel facilities disposed therein. The invention features good novelty, landscape, applicability, and hydrophilicity, outstanding ocean sceneries, mobility (cruising ability), submergibility, and no land occupation. Various activities such as living, catering, entertainment, dining, culture, conference, and so on can be held in the floating box, and commuters and supply boats can stop all around the hotel. In fact, the invention relates to a special on-water business hotel featuring a grand scale and complete functionalities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/CN2008/073413 with an international filing date of Dec. 10,2008, designating the United States, now pending, and further claimspriority benefits to Chinese Patent Application No. 200820101213.3 filedon Jan. 22, 2008, and to Chinese Patent Application No. 200810070516.8filed on Jan. 24, 2008. The contents of all of the aforementionedapplications, including any intervening amendments thereto, areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hotel, and more particularly to a large,multi-functional and submergible star-rated business hotel capable offloating on the water.

2. Description of the Related Art

For a conventional hotel built on land, since it is limited by factorssuch as geographical environment, land resource, water landscapeconditions and so on, its poor novelty, landscape, applicability,functionally and so on make it cannot meet requirements for diversifiedand leisure holidays of modern and romantic people, and it takes up vastland resource.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described problem, it is one objective of theinvention to provide a movable and multi-functional floating hotel thatis capable of overcoming problems with the prior (on-water) art,combines various advantages of a conventional hotel (built on land), andfeatures good ocean landscape and hydrophilcity.

The objective of the invention is implemented as follows:

A floating hotel, comprising: one or more cylindrical floating boxesconnected to each other, multiple channels, a scenery tower, and ananchor moored positioning device, the anchor moored positioning deviceis disposed at the bottom of the floating box, the channel is disposedon one side of the floating box, the scenery tower is disposed on a deckat the top of the floating box, and the floating box has multiplestoreys and hotel facilities (living rooms, recreational facilities,restaurants, ballrooms, gyms, cultural activity rooms and so on)disposed therein.

Different from a conventional hotel fixedly built on land, thehydrophilic floating hotel of the invention features good hydrophilcity,water landscape, mobility (cruising ability), and submergibility,various aquatic recreational activities can be held in and outside thehotel, and yachts, commuters and supply boats can stop all around thehotel. In fact, the invention relates to a special on-water floatinghotel featuring a grand scale and complete functionalities. Since theinvention uses floating boxes, the floating boxes (floating hotel) canbe flexibly arranged according to requirements for different water areaconditions, whereby forming a floating hotel with different standardsand types.

The floating box is a floating box or a submergible box made of steel.

Connection between the floating boxes is implemented via a connectingdevice.

The connecting device (rigid or soft) can implement a relative degree offreedom for the box, whereby reducing impact force from stormy wave andimproving anti-risk capability.

The floating boxes are connected via a movable thread, or via aconnecting device comprising a ring, a connecting shackle, and an endlink, or via solid welding.

The thread can be replaced by a bolt or a screw (a thread, a bolt, aring, and a shackle are produced as required).

A damping device is disposed on a connecting device (rigid or soft)between two floating boxes connected to each other.

The damping device is capable of reducing shock applied on the floatingbox, whereby increasing work life of the box.

The damping device is a rubber damping device.

The anchor moored positioning device is disposed at the bottom of eachfloating box.

Since each floating box is positioned by an independent mooring system,the floating box remains stable under the action of the worstcombination of wind, wave, and flow.

The floating box is an integral steel architecture, or a reinforcedconcrete architecture.

The floating box comprises a deck, a bottom plate, an interiorframework, a bulkhead, a side plate, and a front sheet, the deck and thebottom thereof are integral steel architectures, or anti-corrosionreinforced concrete longitudinal frames, the side plate is a transverseframe or an integral steel frame, and the bottom plate and the sideplate are made of underwater (10 cm) acrylic glass.

An interior framework and a bulkhead of the floating box are made ofsteel, the bottom plate is made of reinforced concrete, the side plateand the front sheet are made of ferro cement, the deck is made of steelplates covered with ferro cement, or all-steel (metal) materials, andspecial rubber damping devices are disposed at upper and lower edges ofthe connecting device (rigid or soft).

A sewerage treatment cabin, a dehydrate storage cabin, a fresh watercabin, an electromechanical device cabin, a pump cabin, or a storagecabin is interval disposed in a center bulkhead of the water-tightbulkhead.

The sewerage treatment cabin, the dehydrate storage cabin, and the freshwater cabin are covered with ferro cement, and a bottom framework ismade of stiffen reinforced concrete, or all-steel metal materials.

The anchor moored positioning device comprises an anchor, an anchorchain, a chain pipe, an automatic-winch-type control system, whichenable the floating hotel to go up and down along with sea level as tiderises or falls, and to submerge as required whereby ensuring thefloating hotel remains stable under the action of the worst combinationof wind, wave, and flow. A submerging state can affectively defendagainst natural disasters such as storm tide, tsunami, and so on. Ananti-storm scale is above 12

A pair of auxiliary connecting devices for moored positioning andshifting of a single body is disposed on both sides of the deck in thevicinity of an end. The auxiliary connecting device employs short lineconnection, and comprises a single mooring bollard, and a nylon rope.

A height of the scenery tower is determined according to requirement forsceneries, and made of steel or light-weighted materials. Ahemispherical viewing deck is disposed at the top of the tower, and madeof transparent materials. Elevators are disposed at the center of thetower.

Rubber fender bars are disposed outside the floating box.

A pair of auxiliary connecting devices for moored positioning andshifting of the single body is disposed on both sides of the deck in thevicinity of an end. The auxiliary connecting device employs short lineconnection, and comprises a single mooring bollard, and a nylon rope.

On-water or under-water star-rated hotels, recreational facilities, andso on are disposed in the floating hotel.

The self-propelled (movable) hotel: multiple propellers are disposed atthe bottom on one side of the floating box whereby ensuring freecruising ability.

The submergible function: four groups of electric ballast pump cabins(submergible working port) are used, and capable of submerging orfloating as required.

Advantages of the invention over the conventional hotel fixedly built onland in terms of building techniques and functions comprise:

1. availability (applicability): the invention can be widely used torivers, lakes, and seas for constructing the floating box (floatinghotel), initiates an inhabitable multi-functional business hotel inwater area, provides diversified and good living environment for citiesand tourist attractions, brings convenience to travelers, saves landresource, and benefits the society.

2. hydrophilicity: the hotel can freely float or submerge, whichpresents characteristics of submarine sceneries, and dynamic andromantic colors.

3. submergibility: a pontoon and a ballast pump cabins (submergibleworking port) are used, and capable of submerging or floating asrequired.

4. cruising (mobile) ability: the propeller disposed at the bottom onone side of the floating box (floating hotel) ensures cruising ability,and the invention becomes a super-star hotel floating on ocean.

5. multi-functionality: on-water or under-water hotels, living rooms,conference rooms, gyms, recreational facilities, leisure facilities,holiday resorts, ocean science investigation facilities, and so on aredisposed therein, which initiates an on-water floating hotel for coastaltourist cities.

6. enjoyment: the floating hotel is a beautiful on-water touristlandscape and building, and a symbol landscape of cities, which promotescity image and grade, and marks creation power and style of our countryin building on-water floating hotel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating hotel of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a floating hotel of the invention,in which unit of numbers is mm;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a top deck (scenery tower) of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an anchor moored positioning device of theinvention, in which: 1—vertical positioning anchor; 2—crossing singleanchor; 3—anchor chain; 4—hawsehole; 5—reinforced concrete anchor;

FIG. 5 is a planar view of a single body of a floating hotel of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a three-body of a floating hotel of theinvention; in which: 1—square post; 2—circular post; 3—beam;4—horizontal steel plate; 5—acrylic glass (side plate); 6—elevator androtating lift; 7—hoistway; 8—channel of exterior corridor; 9—channel ofinterior corridor; 10—guest room and entertainment places; 11—vacuumspace;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a floating hotel of the invention;

FIG. 7B is another cross-sectional view of a floating hotel of theinvention;

FIG. 7C is a further cross-sectional view of a floating hotel of theinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a connecting device of a floating hotel ofthe invention; in which: 4—connecting device, 41—connecting shackle;42—end link; 43—D-shaped ring; 44—rubber damping device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Detailed description of the invention will be given below in conjunctionwith accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, a floating hotel of theinvention comprises one or more cylindrical floating boxes, multiplechannels, a scenery tower, and an anchor moored positioning device,comprising a vertical anchor, a danforth anchor, an anchor chain, anautomatic-winch-type control system, and a hawse pipe (FIG. 4). Thescenery tower (FIG. 3) comprises an elevator. The cylindrical floatingbox is a steel box, and an outer plate thereof is made of anti-corrosioncompound materials (namely painted with anti-corrosion marine coating,and covered with ferro cement). The floating box is an integral steelarchitecture, or a reinforced concrete architecture, and comprises: abottom plate made of reinforced concrete, a stringer girder, a decklongitudinal stringer (FIG. 1), a deck girder (FIG. 7), a web beam (FIG.7), a post (FIG. 7), a bottom longitudinal stringer, and a bottomlongitudinal stringer (FIGS. 6 and 7). The floating box is formed via ahigh-frequency grouting technique, or a bottom plate thereof is formedvia an integral steel structure, and a side plate thereof is formed viaunder-water and high-strength acrylic glass, which feature goodintegrity and impermeability, light weight, high strength and bearingcapacity, and good durability.

A deck and the bottom thereof is a longitudinal frame, and a side platethereof is a transverse frame, an inner framework and a bulkhead thereofare made of steel. The bottom plate (FIG. 6) is made of reinforcedconcrete, the side plate (FIG. 2) and the front sheet are made of ferrocement, the deck (FIG. 1) is made of steel plates covered with ferrocement. Alternatively, the floating box is all-steel integral structure,and the bottom plate and the side plate (except for the framework) ismade of under-water and high-strength acrylic glass whereby forming afull-enclosed submergible box.

Multiple longitudinal bulkheads and transverse bulkheads are disposedbelow the deck whereby forming multiple independent watertightdivisions; and improving sink-resistance capability. A seweragetreatment cabin, a dehydrate storage cabin, and a fresh water cabin areinterval disposed in a center bulkhead. Facilities such as anelectromechanical device cabin, a pump cabin, or a storage cabin can bedisposed in other bulkheads according to functions of different areas ofthe floating hotel. Inner wall of the sewerage treatment cabin, thedehydrate storage cabin, and the fresh water is covered with ferrocement. Inner wall of the sewerage treatment cabin, the dehydratestorage cabin, and the fresh water is covered with ferro cement, thebottom framework is made of stiffen reinforced concrete wherebyimproving durability and water safety of the bulkhead, or made ofall-steel metal materials and an outer layer is painted with marinecoating.

Surface of steel structure is painted with marine coating, and surfaceof the reinforced concrete and the ferro cement is cleaned with acid ascoating is required, whereby improving durability of a coating layer.

Outfits, such as riding bitts, a hawse pipe, a bollard, a manhole, aventilator, and so on are disposed on the floating box (FIG. 4). Arubber fender is disposed outside a single body. Deck superstructureswith different patterns and styles can be disposed on a deck levelaccording to different requirements for use whereby meeting differentfunctions and requirements for sceneries. For example, soil with certainthickness can be laid thereon according to requirements for growth ofvarious salt tolerant plants.

A chain-ring connecting device is used for connecting the cylindricalfloating boxes. The connecting device is disposed on a flank of thecylindrical floating box (FIGS. 1 and 8), and comprises a pair ofD-shaped ring disposed on both sides of the single body, a connectingshackle, and an end link (FIG. 8). By attenuating motion energy of thesingle body and impact force of wave via till-water characteristics andfluid dynamic characteristics of the floating box, the chain-ringconnecting device has larger safety stock. Special rubber dampingdevices with a maximum compression volume of 50% are disposed on upperand lower edges of the front sheet (FIG. 8).

Moreover, a pair of auxiliary connecting devices for moored positioningand shifting of the floating box is disposed on both sides of the deckin the vicinity of an end. The auxiliary connecting device employs shortline connection, and comprises a single mooring bollard, and a nylonrope. In a normal condition, the auxiliary connecting device ensuresreliable connection and overall stability between single bodies.

In addition, each cylindrical floating box has an independent mooredsystem for positioning, which ensures the floating hotel remains stableunder the action of the worst combination of wind, wave, and flow, andenables the floating hotel to go up and down along with sea level astide rises or falls, and an anti-storm scale thereof is above 12. Theanchor moored positioning device comprises an anchor, an anchor chain, ahawse pipe, and riding bitts. The anchor chain enters water from thebottom of the floating box via the hawse pipe, is initially positionedat a high water level, and is fastened and finally positioned at a lowwater level. A typical anchoring method of the single body is to disposefour

-shaped anchors in each single body, an angle between the anchor chainand a center line of the single body is 45 degrees, the hawse pipe isparallel to the center line of the single body, and an angle between thehawse pipe and the bottom plate is less than 45 degrees (FIG. 8). Afterforce analysis and model test, the anchor chain bearing the maximumforce under the action of wind, wave and flow is strengthened accordingto natural conditions in a water area. The combined anchoring system ofthe floating hotel comprises anchor chains, reinforced concrete anchors,and high holding power anchors with different standards and typesaccording to force in different directions. The anchors all enter waterfrom the bottom of the floating box, which solves a problem with aconventional anchoring method that the anchor chain is easy to becorroded in a splash zone.

Keys of the invention comprise:

1. since a composite structure using various steel materials, and alongitudinal and transverse architecture are used, overall intensity andlocal intensity of different systems of the floating hotel underdifferent force conditions can be ensured, which causes work life ofdifferent materials under different conditions to be the same, increasesoverall work life, and reduces repair and maintenance cost.

2. section modulus of a cross section of the whole body (or the singlebody), and an intensity index of the connecting device are determinedaccording to the overall load distribution of the floating box (floatinghotel), and force applied thereto under wind, wave and flow.

3. different construction techniques are used according tocharacteristics of the materials that are used, whereby displayingmechanic performance, connection intensity, and durability of thematerials.

4. a connecting device combining softness and rigidity is used viatill-water characteristics and fluid dynamic characteristics of thefloating box,

5. The anchor chain for moored positioning enters water from the bottom,which solves a problem with a conventional anchoring method that theanchor chain is easy to be corroded and difficult to be changed in asplash zone.

6. various materials are mixed to set up buildings and sceneriesaccording to requirements for use of the floating box.

7. four groups of submergible ballast pumps (submergible working port)are disposed at the bottom layer of said floating box according torequirements for a submerging function, and each can submerge and floatas required, which enable the floating hotel to have novelty,perspectiveness, and entertainment.

8. the invention features automatic (or fixed) cruising abilityaccording to characteristics of the floating box, and requirements forfunctions of the floating hotel, which enables the floating hotel tomove within a certain water area and thus enhancing functionalitythereof.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A floating hotel, comprising one or morecylindrical floating boxes connected to each other; multiple channels; ascenery tower; and an anchor moored positioning device; wherein saidanchor moored positioning device is disposed at the bottom of saidfloating box; said channel is disposed on a flank of said floating box;said scenery tower is disposed on a deck at the top of said floatingbox; and said floating box has multiple storeys and hotel facilitiesdisposed therein.
 2. The floating hotel of claim 1, wherein saidfloating box is an integral frame made of steel or other metalmaterials; an outer layer of said floating box is covered withanti-corrosion ferro cement; and said floating box is full-enclosed andmade of new materials such as underwater and high-strength acrylicglass.
 3. The floating hotel of claim 1, wherein connection between saidfloating boxes is implemented via a rigid or soft connecting device. 4.The floating hotel of claim 3, wherein said floating boxes are connectedvia a movable thread and a bolt, or via a connecting device comprising aring, a connecting shackle, and an end link, or via solid (welding)connection.
 5. The floating hotel of claim 4, wherein a damping deviceis disposed between two floating boxes connected to each other.
 6. Thefloating hotel of claim 2, wherein said anchor moored positioning deviceis disposed at the bottom of each floating box, and comprises areinforced concrete anchor, and a high holding power anchor.
 7. Thefloating hotel of claim 1, wherein said floating box is an integralsteel architecture, or a reinforced concrete architecture.
 8. Thefloating hotel of claim 2, wherein said floating box is an integralsteel architecture, or a reinforced concrete architecture.
 9. Thefloating hotel of claim 3, wherein said floating box is an integralsteel architecture, or a reinforced concrete architecture.
 10. Thefloating hotel of claim 4, wherein said floating box is an integralsteel architecture, or a reinforced concrete architecture.
 11. Thefloating hotel of claim 5, wherein said floating box is an integralsteel architecture, or a reinforced concrete architecture.
 12. Thefloating hotel of claim 6, wherein said floating box is an integralsteel architecture, or a reinforced concrete architecture.
 13. Thefloating hotel of claim 7, wherein said floating box comprises a deck, abottom plate, an interior framework, a bulkhead, a side plate, and afront sheet; said deck and the bottom thereof are integral steelarchitectures, or anti-corrosion reinforced concrete longitudinalframes; said side plate is a transverse frame or an integral steelframe, and an outer layer thereof is covered with anti-corrosion ferrocement, or painted with lacquer via an ocean engineering technique; andsaid bottom plate and said side plate are made of new materials such asunderwater and high-strength acrylic glass.
 14. The floating hotel ofclaim 13, wherein multiple (layer) longitudinal bulkheads and transversebulkheads are disposed below said deck whereby forming multiple (layer)independent watertight divisions; and various platforms are disposed insaid deck.
 15. The floating hotel of claim 1, wherein said anchor mooredpositioning device is a combined anchor moored positioning device; andsaid anchor moored positioning device comprises an anchor, an anchorchain, a chain pipe, an automatic-winch-type control system.
 16. Thefloating hotel of claim 1, wherein a propeller is disposed at the backof the bottom of said floating box.
 17. The floating hotel of claim 16,wherein said propeller is a screw propeller.
 18. The floating hotel ofclaim 1, wherein said floating hotel is equipped with multiplesubmergible ballast pumps; four groups of submergible ballast pumps(submergible working port) are disposed at the bottom layer of saidfloating box, and each can submerge and float as required, and has asubmergible function.
 19. The floating hotel of claim 1, wherein anon-water or under-water super-star hotel or an on-water business mansionare disposed in said floating hotel; a circular under-water viewcorridor (a sea world) is dispose below a main deck; and 500-800(multiple) crystal guestrooms with different styles, a banquet hallcapable of accommodating thousands of people, an internationalconference hall, a news press center, various of recreationalfacilities, a tea house, an oceanarium, an under-water restaurant, anindoor swimming pool, a large outdoor swimming pool, and so on aredisposed in said main deck, the invention can submerge in the water andfloat on the water, and become a changeable ocean wonder with variationof lights in the night.